A loud crash was heard from the kitchen.  “As you know it’s Lara’s day off, so I need to see what’s going on in the kitchen.  I want to hear more about this later,” Kit said as she left for the kitchen.

“Initially that was what they wanted.  You know, the former pro athlete who recovered from cancer, who’s a lesbian and her gay brother, with conservative republican parents.  But then one of the casting people listens to you on the radio.”

Shane got up.  “That’s all I was waiting for.  See ya kids later.” Shane winked and walked off.

“What’s she been smoking?” Alice asked.

“Al, will you do the race with me?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, they like you; they think you’re a funny lady.”

Alice rolls her eyes.

“Casting thought that you might add some comic relief that the team might not have with Howie.  Although, we know Howie is quite hysterical on his own.  Besides, I kinda like the idea.”

“Really.”

“You’re my best friend.  I lost you for a while but now I got you back.  I want to see the world with you Al,” Dana said.

“What if we fight?”

“We fight all the time?

And Lara’s okay with it. 

“Yeah, sure.”

Later that evening at Dana’s House

“…I…I thought you were going to race with Howie,” Lara said as she stood over the sofa with her hands on her hips.”

“The casting person is a fan of Alice’s, she knew we’re friends and she wanted to kinda put in two semi-celebrities for the price of one.”

“Alice is a celebrity in a 10 miles radius only,” Lara said.

“Me and Howie together would have killed my parents, they can take the world knowing about me but he’s their son, it’s different and you didn’t want to go.”

“I’m happy that you and Alice are friends again.  She was great for not only you during your illness but for me too.  I want you to spend time together, but seeing all those places, places that I wanted to see with you…”

“Then, come with me.”

“Hell no.  With Subaru being a sponsor and the network trying to court you for that charity event.  If we get into any arguments or fights I know who’s going to get the asshole edit.”

“Don’t you trust me?” Dana asked.

“You I trust…but…it’s…I’m going to be home thinking about you sleeping days on end in hotels with Alice, visiting romantic places…”

“Whoa…you watch the show,” Dana said.  “We gonna be sleeping in airports, in front of  parks, and maybe in a hotel wearing the same funky clothes day in and day out.   I don’t think it’s going to be Temptation Island.” 

Lara sits down on the couch.  She brushes hair out of Dana’s face.  “You’ll just email and call whenever you get the chance, so it can be like I’m sorta there with you.”

Dana nods.  “Were only going to be in some places like hours, it’s just a glimpse.  The best places we’ll go back to together.   And in the worst places Alice will do all the eating challenges.

Lara laughs and then leans in to a kiss.

Next time: The Race Begins